Opinions vary about blackout's effect

POWER OUTAGE

By C.W. Nevius :
February 4, 2013

In a Super Bowl game that had nearly everything, a 34-minute power outage seemed like too much to handle. Part of the stadium lights went out early in the third quarter, with the 49ers trailing 28-6.

"It was definitely a unique situation," said 49ers tackle Joe Staley. "But it wasn't the first time. We had a power outage against Pittsburgh ... and we came out afterward on fire."

The 49ers rallied after this outage too, although their comeback fell short.

"Defense started to click," said safety Donte Whitner. "The offense started to click and once that spark happened we knew it was going to happen. I just wish we could have finished the game."

Basically, reactions varied from tackle Alex Boone ("No effect. Things happen; this is life") to Ravens running back Ray Rice ("Honestly, for myself, I was a little stiff when I got back out there").

So there you have it. It either had a critical and important effect, or it was no factor at all.

After the game a statement was issued that explained, "A piece of equipment ... sensed an abnormality in the system. Once the issue was detected ... (it) opened a breaker causing power to be partially cut to the Superdome."

Whatever that means.

"I think it was Beyoncé," suggested Baltimore cornerback Corey Graham. "She did so much she blew out the power."

Frankly, that's as good an explanation as any. Did it have an effect on the game? There's no telling.

"We can play ifs and buts all night," said Baltimore tackle Matt Birk. "It happened. Deal with it."